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Porgy and Bess cast win pay dispute

Published Wednesday 16 May 2007 at 11:35 by Nuala Calvi

Managers behind Gershwin musical Porgy and Bess have been landed with an additional bill for £7,300, after performers won a long-standing dispute over extra pay.

The decision was reached by the Equity/Society of London Theatre’s Theatre Council last week, despite an intervention by director Trevor Nunn in support of the show’s managers.

As revealed by The Stage last month, swings on the production, who are normally expected to cover ensemble roles, were being required to take on featured parts without being paid as understudies. The dispute had been running since Porgy and Bess opened last November.

The council ruled that five of the seven performers named should be paid the extra money by managers Andrew Fell Ltd before June 2.

Parts including Robbins, Lily, Undertaker, Crabman and Strawberry Woman have now been redefined as non-leading roles. The parts of Annie, Nelson, Jasbo and Jim will remain ensemble.

One of the successful claimants, who did not wish to be named, said: “We’re pleased with the result and it proves that we were right to have done what we did. It shows it’s not up to the management to decide who’s ensemble and who’s a part - it’s clear watching the show we were parts.

“But I wish it hadn’t had to go this far. Most of us would have been happy to sort it out at the beginning.”

The Equity deputy on the show said he hoped the outcome would give performers in similar situations on other West End productions the courage to come forward.

“Here they are, these great big musicals, making tons of money for a handful of people, yet the people at the bottom of the pile are barely even making a living wage,” he said. “Actors aren’t happy but they don’t pursue it - maybe now they’ll start piping up.”

One of the problems identified by the case has been the distinction between ensemble and non-leading roles in musicals, which the Theatre Council said was a “grey area”.

Equity is currently re-negotiating its West End agreement with SOLT, which could give it an opportunity to address the issue. Andrew Fell was not available for comment as The Stage went to press.

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